Love never dies...but it can kill.
Ember is the story of Max Valentine, a teenager with secret abilities and many inner demons. His life revolves around music and his love for it. When his father dies he seeks answers with his last living relative, his fathers brother Frank. Frank lives on the island of Maui and eagerly takes Max in as his own. Max soon learns that healing his past will be more difficult than he could have ever believed. Two major complications will tempt and torment him as he tries to make sense of his abilities.
The first temptation comes in the form of a mysterious island girl. Asia Lyn Michaels is rich, spoiled, angry and beautiful. Her path crosses with Max on the beach one afternoon, forever changing both of their lives. Max saves her life and she discovers his secret. From that moment on they are connected, no matter how much they fight it.
The second temptation will test Max’s very soul. Samantha Ann Summers is sweet, artistic, smart and confident. She will help Max find his smile again and maybe even heal his past mistakes. She is possibly his soul mate and Max will fight that with every fiber of his being.
Max’s temper and indecision with the girls will send in motion events that will cost him dearly. He will test the limits of his powers and the new relationship with his protective uncle. He will gain a powerful love and lose another.
About the author:
Music is LIFE and the written word is our SOUL. Music and writing have been my true ambition since I was a child. I have used music in every form possible; writing it, performing it, healing with it, etc. I call it my "life's soundtrack." I have always written in some form, from comic books to screenplays to short stories and now the new series "Ember." I have spent my writing life inspired by all the music of the universe, 80's movies and eye candy. When not writing I enjoy dreaming out loud, challenging the real world and inspiring the ones I love. I have found a true passion for my stories and characters and am eager to share them with the world. See you on the next book tour...M.D.
The interview:
1. What inspired you to create "Ember" and the characters?
MD: A song. The band Oasis has a song called “Stop Crying Your Heart Out.” I was listening to it at work and the beginning of my story just came to me.
2. Have you documented a lot for this book?
MD: A little bit. I studied up on the Hawaiian islands as much as I could. The rest I already knew about. Ember is filled with music and I know and love music. :)
3. Three words that describe you are?
MD: Creative. Emotional. Artistic.
4. I would like to know when did you started writing stories? About what?
MD: I started really young. I used to write and draw my own comic books when I was 9 or 10. When I was a teenager, I wrote music. Songs and lyrics. I didn’t begin writing novels until the last 5 years or so. I write about everything...monsters, love stories, sci-fi...
5. When you write a novel do you use things that your fans want you to write?
MD: I just write what is true to my characters and the story. I really enjoy surprises and twists in my books. Hopefully the readers enjoy them too. ;)
6. Is this book going to be the first in a series? If yes, tell us how many novels will be in the series and what will they be called?
MD: Yes. Ember is the first book in a series of six books. The Ember series. Book two will be coming out in November 2012. It is titled Downpour.
7. If a producer would want to make your novel a movie, which would be the actors for the leading roles?
MD: Great question! I always like to cast the main characters. I like when the readers make suggestions too. Maybe your followers will have a suggestion or two. I would love to hear them. :)
8. Do you have other projects, like a new series in the future?
MD: Yes I do. I have a new sci-fi series called “13 Breaths.” I have a new book of short stories called “Beyond the Never” coming out August 10th. I wrote it with four of my favorite authors. Jenna Kay, Alexia Purdy, Linna Drehmel and Kyani Swanigan. I call them my writing sisters! :)
9.Which was your favorite book when you were a child and which is now?
MD: Stephen King’s “Fire-Starter.” Loved it then, love it now.
10. How do you write a novel?
MD: I put on some good music and settle in with a pen and pad of paper and write. Later, I type it up on my laptop. Usually with a giant glass of Coca Cola and a box of Chinese food. Yum.
11. Can you tell me how much time passed since you started writing and until you published it?
MD: I wrote Ember in the summer of 2008. I self-published it in the summer of 2011. By the end of that year, my series was bought by the new indie publishing company CRUSHING HEARTS AND BLACK BUTTERFLY PUBLISHING. They published the new version of Ember in February of this year.
12. If you could go to a lonely island which would be the three things that you would take with you?
MD: My guitar, a pen and notebook.
13.Which historical character would you be and why?
MD: Beethoven. He was a musical genius.
14. Your favorite mythological character is...?
MD: Eos, the Titan and goddess of the dawn.
15. The three most important things in your life are...?
MD: Family, friends and music.
16. Before ending I would like to know what do you think about my blog? (selfish question).
MD: I think it is great! I hope to be a part of it for a long time. I hope your followers enjoy my interview and my new book series.
17. In the end of this interview, what have you heard about our country and would you like to visit it?
MD: I am already planning my first visit. I find your country beautiful and its history amazing. I have been welcomed with open arms by your people. You have a very passionate and exciting reader fan base. You all rock! I can’t wait to come for my visit!
For Madison Daniel:
Thank you very much,Daniel,for this interview!